[2025 Kusatsu ] Travel Guide for Sainokawara Open-air Bath (Updated Mar)

Kusatsu in winter fulfilled all my fantasies about snow It was so beautiful, with heavy snow falling from the sky and steam rising from the ground. The sewers here are filled with steaming hot spring water, creating a fairy-tale scene. When taking the bus to Kusatsu, the TV screen on the bus introduced the origin of the name Kusatsu. It turns out that because the water here is smelly (the smell of sulfur and rotten eggs), people called it a stinky ditch (stinky is pronounced as kusai, and water is pronounced as mitsu), and then it became Kusatsu (pronounced as kusatsu) when pronounced quickly. Of course, this is also a folk legend. This kind of rustic name origin made the girl sitting in the first row laugh out loud. Even the Japanese didn't expect the origin of the famous Kusatsu to be so rustic. The Nishikawa Garden in winter is truly a spectacular sight, and the open-air hot spring in Nishikawa Garden is a must-visit spot in Kusatsu. I personally think that all the essence of Kusatsu is here. Although it is a public hot spring, there are very few people in winter. I recommend going once in the morning and once in the evening for completely different experiences. There is no need to shower at the open-air hot spring in Nishikawa Garden, so please note. In addition, the road to the Nishikawa Garden hot spring is very difficult to walk during the snow season. The mountain slopes are covered with ice and snow, and the ground is very slippery. You need to take anti-slip measures and pay attention to safety.

Explore Kusatsu Onsen, located in Kusatsu Town, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture, not Kusatsu City. Here is an introduction to Kusatsu Onsen: Features and Advantages - Excellent water quality: Kusatsu Onsen is a strong acidic sulfur spring with a pH value of 1.7 to 2.1. It has strong bactericidal power and can kill bacteria and harmful microorganisms in seconds. The spring water contains sulfur, aluminum, sulfate, chloride, and other components, which are effective for many diseases and can also beautify the skin. - Large output: Kusatsu Onsen has the largest natural output of any hot spring in Japan, with about 40,000 liters per minute. There are more than 100 natural springs, with water temperatures ranging from 25°C to 96°C. - Pure natural hot spring: Kusatsu Onsen adheres to the "spring quality principle" and uses only pure natural spring water from the source, without heating, boiling, cooling, or recycling. Culture and Activities - Yumomi performance: This is a unique traditional activity at Kusatsu Onsen. In the past, people used long wooden boards to stir the spring water in the bath to lower the temperature. Today, it has become a popular performance, usually held from April to November. - Mineral crystal collection: The wooden pipes of the Yubatake are temporarily blocked four times a year to collect mineral crystals by hand. Only about 7,000 to 8,000 crystals can be collected each year, making them very precious. Visitors also have the opportunity to participate. Main Hot Spring Baths - Otaki no Yu: This bath attracts visitors with its large bath, waterfall, and mixed-gender hot spring with different structures for men and women. "White Turbid Water" days are held on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. - Goza no Yu: Located in Yubatake, this bath is a reconstruction of a building from the Edo to Meiji periods. The wooden structure, cedar roof, and plaster walls exude an ancient charm. - Sainokawara Open-air Bath: This is one of the largest open-air baths in Kusatsu Onsen, with a total area of 500 square meters for men and women. Surrounded by natural scenery, it offers different views with the changing seasons.

I traveled to Karuizawa during the winter vacation and searched for surrounding attractions. I found that Kusatsu Onsen is known as the best hot spring in Japan. I chartered a car with my family and took a day trip to Kusatsu. I really should stay one night. The view of Nishinogahara open-air bath Awesome, the spring quality is smooth and moisturizing when you soak in it. You must visit again❤️